Mastering the Brides

By Sandra S. Kerns

Mastering the Brides

*The sisters are back home and of course trouble follows..*

Blaze and Brooke, the Masters brothers' sisters are coming home to get married. With Manus and Lazaro in tow, they head back to Colorado for a double Christmas wedding. As soon as their plane touches down, they start to wonder if someone has other plans.

Not only have the girls felt like they were being followed back in Florida, though they didn't tell their men, now they feel the same way here. When they learn that a snowstorm is threatening, their plans for a few days of down time in Denver before going up to the mountains, the final wedding plans, and their wedding focused mother are whisked away as if a snowplow piled them in with all the slush from I25. Before they even get to I25 one of their rental cars has a flat tire, then someone clips Blaze's bumper as they're taking the exit off I25. The girls start to think they're jinxed, but they still keep the men in the dark. At least they try until Brooke gets a threatening phone call.

Lazaro and Manus are not pleased when they learn their fiances have been keeping secrets from them. Dangerous secrets makes it even worse. Then the are sworn to keep the secrets from the brothers. They know the girls are worried their brothers will put them under house arrest until they sort the problem out. Manus and Lazaro think that's a pretty good idea, but the girls wear them down as usual and they allow them to keep going with preparations for the wedding.

Things go from bad to worse, but Blaze and Brooke have learned from the Masters, literally. They're not going down without a fight. As soon as these cowards stop hiding behind phone calls, the girls will show them just what they think about their threats.

If you love Christmas, snow, romance, and a little suspense Mastering the Brides is the book for you. Order now so you can be the first to read it when it comes out the day after Christmas!

• Language: English
• Publisher: Sandra S. Kerns
• Release date: Dec 26, 2015
• ISBN: 9781310500886

Sandra S. Kerns

Sandra writes romantic suspense. She enjoys speaking to writer's groups as well as libraries and reader groups. An award-winning author, she has no time to rest on her laurels. To keep her readers happy she tries to publish at least 4 novels each year and usually another Christmas novella at the end of the year. For inspiration she looks out at the Rocky Mountains from her back patio or watches the waves when she visits Cocoa Beach, Florida.

Book preview

Mastering the Brides

A Masters Men Christmas Story

Published by Sandra S. Kerns, LLC

Editor: Joy Clintsman, Big Sister Edits

Copyright 2015 Sandra S. Kerns

All rights reserved

Smashwords Edition

Cover design by: Itsy Designs

License Notes

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Dedication

This book is dedicated to

my wonderful and loyal Masters Men fans.

Thank you for making the Masters Men

a wonderful success.

Chapter One

Blaze slipped her arm through her sister’s as they walked through the jet-way to the terminal at DIA. I hope the snow holds off. I want it fresh for the weddings.

Me, too, Brooke said. Wouldn’t that be perfect?

Blaze joined her sister in a chuckle, knowing the two hunks walking behind them probably wouldn’t agree. Glancing out the window, she feared the snow would fly before then and make their final preparations more difficult. Their flight had landed early in Denver, but even at one in the afternoon, low clouds made it darker than she was accustomed to anymore. There was only one other concern besides the weather that had her glancing sideways at her sister.

She hoped Brooke hadn’t given in to parent pressure and spilled the beans about them coming in two days before they were expected. She needed some quiet time with Lazaro before the family took over. They had both been busy with plans for upcoming dives through the new Underwater Archaeological Society that Marie had created. She knew they would soon be alone on their honeymoon, but before the wedding, she wanted some time for both of them to calm their spirits, as her sister-in-law Copper would say. However, right now she needed to make sure Brooke hadn’t ruined their plans.

Please tell me you held firm and did not tell Mom we were getting in today.

Brooke frowned at her. I held firm and did not tell Mom we were getting in today.

I can verify, Manus said over Brooke’s head. I also swore my mother to secrecy.

Lazaro wrapped his arm around Blaze’s shoulders as they exited the jet-way and entered the terminal. Will you please stop worrying? We all know you want us flatlanders to have a couple of days to adjust to the altitude. Manus and I may not be rocket scientists, but we’re not stupid.

Elbowing him, Blaze glared up at her handsome Conquistador. Dang, he is one handsome man, she thought with a shiver of excitement for the night ahead. Forcing her attention back to the present, she shook her head.

You do not know my mother. She won’t give us a moment’s peace, especially you and Manus, once she gets ahold of us. I’ll bet she’s already pried recipes for your favorite foods from his mom and your brother. Then, of course, there are all the plans that she thinks Brooke and I are too inept to handle. Once we’re in Braedon, I doubt we’ll see you guys again until the wedding.

Speak for yourself, Brooke said. Mom can have the days, but not the nights. I don’t want to give him a chance to figure out what a mistake he made.

Blaze watched Manus grin before kissing her sister’s head. The only mistake I made was taking almost two years to look you up after we met the first time. You’re never getting rid of me now.

Aren’t they cute? Lazaro said then made a choking sound.

Stop teasing them. I think it’s sweet Manus is so gaga over my baby sister.

Yeah, and if I talked to you like that, you’d probably make me walk the plank.

Blaze laughed. True, but then, I’m not a romantic like my sister. I’m a--

Lazaro kissed her before she could finish as they rode up the escalator. When he released her lips, Blaze slowly opened her eyes to find his delicious chocolate brown eyes staring at her.

You promised, he whispered. No more negatives. You are perfect just the way you are.

She smiled up at him. God, she loved this man. He was the most loving, thoughtful, sweet man in the world, but he was no pushover. He didn’t let her get away with anything.

Right, thanks for the reminder. Now, off to baggage claim.

As the four of them rode the tram to the main terminal, Blaze watched her sister and Manus sway together. He had one arm around Brooke’s waist while he held onto the rail overhead. She couldn’t remember Brooke ever trusting anyone so completely. The thought made her smile. Maybe the smile came from having Lazaro’s arms wrapped around her waist in a gentle hug.

They really are sappy, he whispered in her ear before kissing her neck.

As opposed to you, who always has a hand on me if I’m in the same room?

He chuckled and Blaze leaned her head back to see his face.

I guess it’s true. You ruined me. I was a perfectly good free spirit and you... he paused and Blaze raised an eyebrow. Then he smiled. You showed me I wasn’t free, I was lost. I’m sorry it took me so long to make it official.

Blaze turned in his arms. Neither one of us were ready before. Your timing, as always, was perfect. I love you, Lazaro Menendez-Buffington.

As his lips claimed hers again, Blaze heard Manus chuckle, And he calls us sappy. Then the music announcing their arrival at the terminal played over the speakers.

It looked like she and her sister had both found keepers. She was also thrilled that Lazaro and Manus got along now. It had taken a while for Lazaro to forgive Manus for arresting her. Granted, he’d only been doing his job and had worked hard to clear her name so it was a moot point. However, just the fact he had arrested her had been hard for Lazaro to let go.

They followed the crowd of travelers up the escalators, through the terminal, to the baggage claim carousels. While the men waited for the suitcases, Blaze and Brooke went to get coffee for all of them. Halfway to the cafe, Brooke’s phone rang.

Who is it? Blaze asked as her sister pulled it out of her purse.

Tres, she said as she hit accept and then speaker.

Hi, Tres. What’s up? Brooke asked.

There’s been a change of plans, kiddo, or should I say kiddos? I know you’re there, Blaze.

Hey, now tell us what change you’ve made and it had better not be that you told mom and dad we’re here already or...

What? Do you think I’m insane? I don’t want the wrath of Blaze Collins turned on me. However, there’s a serious storm front closing in. It’s already snowing up here.

I might live in Florida now, but I still remember how to drive in the snow, Blaze said rolling her eyes.

There were plenty of icy hilly roads in Arkansas for me to keep in practice, so I’m not as rusty as Blaze, Brooke said while Blaze ordered the coffee. They walked to the other end of the counter to wait for the drinks while Tres explained more.

Your driving skills are not in question, he said with a chuckle. You being able to get here if you wait a couple of days is what concerns me. They’re forecasting almost a foot for Denver. That means even more up here. Before it gets too bad on I25, I thought you could come straight here.

Blaze sighed. She’d really wanted the quiet before the entire family descended on them.

I sent Ace and Izzy on a ‘Hide the Too Be Weds’ mission. They’re stocking the fridge and making beds at the garage apartment as we speak.

Beds, Tres? Blaze said picking up the tray of coffee cups. If I remember correctly there was only one bed in the apartment over the garage and, while I love my sister and her fiancé, I really don’t want to sleep with them. Her brother’s hearty laugh made her smile in spite of the changed plans.

Relax, Blaze, it will be fine. Last year Izzy suggested some renovations since she uses it for meeting with students. We added an office/guestroom by taking some of the living room area footage. So, no four to a bed or even a sofa bed, you’ll have your own rooms.

What about the altitude? Manus and Lazaro have never been in this kind of elevation. Denver is probably pushing it, but up in Braedon I’m afraid they’ll both get sick, Blaze said as they made their way out of the shop and headed for baggage claim again, she noticed Brooke shaking her head.

They will be fine as long as we keep them hydrated and don’t let them do anything overly taxing. If shoveling needs done, you and I take care of it. Besides, if they do get sick, I am a nurse. I know what to do. Don’t worry. We won’t need a hyperbaric chamber or anything as you would if you were coming up from a dive too quickly. I’ll make sure they are both in shape for the wedding.

So, you’ll do it? Tres asked.

Blaze and Brooke both laughed.

Oh, that was a request? I figured you’d already cancelled our hotel reservations--

Actually, I did, he said. Before you go ballistic about me using my detective status or anything else illegal, I got the information from Manus and Lazaro just in case there were any problems.

Yeah, right, Brooke said and Blaze was glad she wasn’t the only one tired of the brothers thinking them incapable of taking care of themselves.

Look, it was a good thing in the long run. If I hadn’t cancelled them, you would be paying for hotel rooms you won’t stay in. Besides, it was my back-up in case you weren’t reasonable about coming home tonight.

Blaze rolled her eyes. As I figured, it wasn’t a request. However, since Brooke has promised she can take care of Lazaro and Manus if they do get sick, I guess we’ll head home as soon as we can get the luggage and pick up the rentals.

The sisters smiled when they heard Tres release a loud sigh. Whew, I didn’t think it would be this easy.

Hey, we’re not there yet, Blaze said as she saw Manus and Lazaro walking toward them with the luggage. She held up a finger to let them know